In the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty, a terrible plague swept through the empire. Rice rotted in the fields, the people died like flies, and even the imperial physicians were helpless.

The Emperor, in desperation, summoned the Taoist sage Zhang Tianshi from Mount Longhu to pray for divine intervention. As the emissary, Marshal Hong Xin, climbed the sacred mountain, he passed through the Hall of the Subdued Demons, where a stone tablet warned: "DO NOT OPEN."

Curiosity consumed him. "What spirits could be sealed in a mere stone chamber?" He ordered the doors forced open.

With a thunderous roar, a black cloud erupted from the chamber. One hundred and eight stars of destiny shot into the sky, scattering across the empire—each one a spirit that would be reborn as a mortal.

When Marshal Hong returned to the capital, pale and trembling, he reported what he had done.

"Fool!" the sage cried. "You have released the Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits and the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends! They shall incarnate across the land, and for decades to come, the empire shall know no peace!"

Thus did the seeds of rebellion scatter across the Central Plains. Each spirit would find a mortal vessel. Each would face injustice. And each would, eventually, find their way to a certain marshland fortress called Liangshan.

The age of the outlaws had begun.